Siege of Maastricht (1579): Difference between revisions

With supporting fire from the platform recently erected, the Spanish focused on capturing the bastion of the Brussels gate. The fire from above made the Dutch defense difficult, leading Tapin to order the fortification to be gradually demolished.{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=87}}{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II pp. 176-177}} Despite the musketry fire from the casemates in the wall, the Spanish sappers reached the moat and started to mine the second line of defense. Farnese directed two batteries of four cannons each to batter the bridge linking the Brussels gate and the second bastion. Under heavy pressure, the Dutch troops withdrew into Maastricht and the Spanish took possession of the ruined outer works spanning 300 paces from the Brussels gate to the St. Servaas tower, on its left, and 150 paces to its right.{{sfn|Strada|1681|p=109-110}}{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II p. 177}} Three mines were dug beneath the moat and blown under the walls, causing severe damage around the tower of St. Servaas, and allowing the Spanish to gain control of the ruined walls. After that, Captain Gaspar Ortiz led his company in an assault over one of the towers of the Brussels gate and seized it. Several [[scaffolds]] were built above, from which the Spanish musketeers fired over the defenders who moved around the streets and squares nearby.{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=88}}{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II pp. 177-178}}

On 4 June, the Dutch sappers detonated two counter-mines below two Spanish mines, inflicting a number of casualties, including Captain Ortiz. Meanwhile, anticipating the loss of the Brussels gate, Tapin ordered a lunette to be built behind it. Thousands of civilians worked on the new fortification, which was quickly finished and furnished with eight cannons.{{sfn|Strada|1681|p=111}} By then, the number of able soldiers in command of Schwarzenberg and Tapin had fallen to just 400.{{sfn|Meteren|1618|p=173}} According to a Dutch deserter, 1,000 defenders had been killed in the fighting.{{sfn|Strada|1681|p=110}} Farnese decided then to drag siege artillery to the section of the walls under Spanish control to batter the new lunette. While supervising the operation, Berlaymont was killed.{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II p. 180}} His loss, according to Vázquez, was much deplored, 'for he was a brave gentleman, well-liked and much loved by all the nations'.{{sfn|Vázquez|1879|p=211}}

The Spanish artillery fire forced the Dutch to abandon their remaining positions in the Brussels gate and retreat behind the lunette. This was subjected to a heavy bombardment, and Tapin was wounded. To encourage his men and keep morale high, he ordered to be taken to the front in a [[Litter (vehicle)|litter]].{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II pp. 178-179}} By 15 June, the number of Spanish cannons battering the lunette had increased to 14. Despite their high caliber of 40 pounds, they failed to breach the rampart.{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=91}} Farnese then ordered his sappers to gradually demolish the flanks of the lunette. By 24 June, the rampart was almost reduced to rubble, notably its left flank, towards the Basilica of Saint Servatius. That day, the Spanish infantry assaulted the lunette, but was repelled with heavy losses in spite that Tapin briefly lost consciousness, having been hit by a stone. As the rampart was deemed defenseless, Tapin ordered a new entrenchment to be dug behind it.{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II pp. 181-182}} According to Famiano Strada 'there they [the Dutch soldiers and burghers] ate and slept, bringing the women their bread to them, remaining immobile on their positions'.{{sfn|Strada|1681|p=114}}

After the failed assault, Farnese fell ill and had to remain in bed. On 26 June, he promised the besieged that the city would be spared if they surrendered. However, his terms were rejected, as the defenders did not trust him.{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II p. 181}}{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=94}} Therefore, he determined that a final assault was to take place on 29 June, [[feast of Saints Peter and Paul]]. The night before, while the deployment was being carried out, some Spanish and German soldiers unsuccessfully tried to storm the Dutch entrenchment, yet Farnese kept his orders. The Spanish infantry was placed on the right, and the German and Walloon soldiers on the left. During the night, several attacks ferewere feigned in order to prevent the Dutch from resting.{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=94}}

At dawn, Maastricht was finally stormed. The defenders were then asleep and, taken by surprise, could not contain the push. Assailed from all the sides, they broke ranks and fled, being chased and hunted down by the Spanish, German and Walloon soldiers along the streets. Many tried to hide in cellars and basements, but the Catholic troops searched house by house and put them to the sword.{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=95}}{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II pp. 183-184}} Soldiers and civilians alike died in the fight or drowned into the Meuse trying to escape. A [[last stand]] took place in the [[Vrijthof|Vrijthof square]], but ultimately the Spanish broke through and chased the soldiers and burghers along the bridge over the river to Wyck. Maastricht's wealthiest citizens, as well as the remaining soldiers, headedled by Tapin, saved themselves there by partially demolishing the bridge. 4,000 people were seized in the city and forced to pay a ransom while their homes were looted. It was said that the total booty amounted to more than 1 millon of golden [[ducats]].{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=96}} The sack was particularly vicious as Farnese remained in bed and was unable to issue orders to contain the soldiery, and his two lieutenants, the Count of Mansfeld and Ottavio Gonzaga, disliked each other and refused to cooperate.{{sfn|Thomassen|1890|p=97}}{{sfn|Marek y Villarino de Brugge|2020b|loc=v. II pp. 184-186}}